When Elephants Dream of Music
Artist: Bob Moses
Community Score: 10.00

Although best known as a flexible and tasteful drummer, Bob Moses displayed a great deal of talent as a composer and arranger on this exciting project. He utilized a particularly colorful cast of characters, including altoist David Gross, Jim Pepper on tenor, cornetist Terumasa Hino, trombonist Barry Rogers, flutist Jeremy Steig, vibraphonist... Read More

My Desire
Artist: Bob Nieske

Bassist Bob Nieske's recording for GM (recorded in 1993 but released in 1996) is most notable for its subtle surprises. Although avant-garde in places, the performances are full of strong lyrical melodies, a quirky brand of swing and logical unpredictability. Nieske, who starts the set with a somber solo bass tribute to Charlie Haden and... Read More

Miles Away
Artist: Dave Liebman

Dave Liebman, who played with Miles Davis' group during 1974-1975, pays tribute to the innovative trumpeter throughout this excellent Owl CD. To Liebman's credit, he does not ignore Davis' fusion period; in fact, he starts out with the most recent composition (Robert Irving's "Code M.D." from 1984) and works his way backwards chronologically.... Read More

Blues...?
Artist: String Trio of New York

The String Trio of New York, which since 1991 has consisted of violinist Regina Carter, guitarist James Emery and bassist John Lindberg (the latter two were founding members in 1979), is often classified as an avant-garde group due to its unusual instrumentation and chancetaking improvisations. However this Black Saint release is among their... Read More

Affinity Plays Ornette Coleman's Little Symphony and Eight Other Modern Jazz Classics
Artist: Affinity

Affinity consists of Joe Rosenberg on soprano, Rob Sudduth playing tenor, bassist Richard Saunders and drummer Bobby Lurie. They have a very inclusive approach in picking out "nine modern jazz classics," so this inventive CD ranges in repertoire from Lee Morgan and Thelonious Monk to Ornette Coleman and Anthony Braxton (two compositions,... Read More

New Standards
Artist: Malachi Thompson

A very nice disc from Thompson and his Freebop group. New Standards takes on a nice variety of material, from "If I Only Had a Brain" to a couple of pieces by Thompson himself, including a drastic rearrangement of "Dyhia Malika" that freshens it up and expands it musically. The playing is entertainingly upbeat, keeping the music interesting even... Read More

Love is the Answer
Artist: Jay Hoggard
The Brunt
Artist: Either/Orchestra

At the time of their formation the Either/Orchestra asked, "Why should a seven-horn band only limit themselves in ensembles to playing three basic parts (for trumpets, trombones, and reeds) when having seven parts would be much more exciting?" Gradual tempo changes within a song; the use of emotional outbursts, humor, and group improvising; and... Read More

Trio I Sm
Artist: Paul Motian
Community Score: 10.00

Jazz drummer Paul Motian has been lauded by critics for both his subtle syncopations and uniquely asymmetrical sense of time. On this 1993 release, Trioism, Motian's musical attributes are complemented by the cockeyed guitar styling of Bill Frisell and the breathy tones of saxmen Joe Lovano and Dewey Redman. With "It Should Have Happened a Long... Read More

On Broadway, Vol. 3 - JMT
Artist: Paul Motian
Community Score: 10.00

Drummer Paul Motian leads an intriguing all-star quintet on this gem of a disc. Motian and his regular trio of the time (with tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano and guitarist Bill Frisell) are joined by bassist Charlie Haden and altoist Lee Konitz (who doubles on soprano) for unusual versions of ten standards. Frisell's atmospheric and spacy guitar... Read More

Low Profile
Artist: Michael Formanek

Bassist Michael Formanek, an underrated composer who wrote the ten pieces explored on this CD, welcomes an all-star group of adventurous improvisers. Marty Ehrlich (on clarinet, bass clarinet, alto and soprano), Tim Berne (doubling on alto and baritone), trumpeter Dave Douglas, trombonist Frank Lacy, pianist Salvatore Bonafede and drummer Marvin... Read More